As I gaze upon a frail old man opposite me
He looks at me and a smile appears on his face
I decide to stop and talk to him for a while
To reflect upon those years gone by
Old man, where has your life gone?
Time has flown by, doesn't life moves so fast
Can you remember when you were younger?
Handsome man with long dark hair, the ladies loved,
but its all gone now, not even any grey patches
A gleam in your eye just like James Dean,
but your face is old and wrinkly now
Your hands were so strong, but now shake and shiver
Like a stallion, your strength was of legends,
but through the years you became so weak and fragile
Do you remember all the loves?
All those hearts your broke?
The one that broke your heart?
I know she skips through your mind from time to time
Such a beautiful woman, full of class,
you thought one day you would marry,
have lots of children and die happy.
Funny how life works out, how it never goes to plan
What you have today is never what you thought it would be
Do you remember all those who hurt you?
Through time you learnt to forgive,
life is too short for grudges
I know you miss your real beloved,
your precious mother, who sacrificed her life for you
Who held you so close the day you were born,
sadly, you lost her so young
Life was hard with so much poverty,
and I know you wonder what happened to your childhood,
but you got through and learnt how to spread love
You didn't let the demons defeat you,
because your were drawn to the angels
Think about all the happiness you brought,
how many tears you wiped away and how you listened
But what about those dreams you had?
Do you have many regrets?
Or is life too short for that?
Do you feel you have left behind a legacy?
I see loneliness in your eyes,
everyone you loved, has left in the end.
Are you happy with what you will leave behind?
Do you like what you see in the mirror?
As, I turn away from the mirror,
and tears roll down my face
I think to myself, what happened to the fun and the adventure
Whatever happened to all those passengers?
What happened to me?
But, then I remind myself,
life is what it is and everything happens for a reason
Some you win, some you lose
Life is too short for regret
It's good to reflect, but also good to be content...
The Silent One
24 September 2015

Sitting quietly beneath the old blue gum tree
Flowers surround me lined in neat rows on the lawn
White and blue, tall and short placed as if by gods’ decree
My eyes mist, oh god what she had undergone
Her face clouded in pain, body still as a frightened fawn
The room white, Spartan white sheets drape the bed
Her raven black hair no more, so much left unsaid
Eyes of fierce emerald green now dull and sedate
God let fall tears the day her mortal coil she did shed
Soon again in each others arms, standing at heaven’s gate

The sweetest sounds of burning trees
A gentle stroking in the breeze
The calm has lasted past the storm
Cloudy visions, Satan’s roar
Too many sights have passed my way
A time found only in the haze
The softest screams are running bare
My aching bones creak as I stare
You walk a distance towards me
The fall’s eternal, can’t you see?
I’m a memory in your heart
I whisper to you in the dark
The battle’s started at the end
No one is coming to repent
The sinners grab their wine from prey
No judgment calling here to stay
The sport is reckless to be told
The one is laughing at his souls
It falters nowhere to be sure
The power grows forevermore
Like a spirit in the wind
I have no say in where you’ve been
But cross the line to come to me
And pay the price for ecstasy
You walk a distance towards me
The fall’s eternal, can’t you see?
I’m a memory in your heart
I whisper to you in the dark.

When I first saw you with your eyes of blue,
I stumbled, I stuttered, I did not know what to do.
When you held my hand my heart would melt,
you always knew how I felt.
Holding you tight those many years,
sometimes I can't hold back the tears.
How happy we were in this life,
now my days are full of strife.
For we were soul mates my dear,
and one day again I will hold you near.
JSergi

As I try to remember my only love
When the sunset of life is not far now
Wild, bright, the colors blended in row
Forming a magical hue, fading now.
Darkness closing, now time to go home
Resting in the darkened room quite warm
Lying in the bed with eyes closed to form
Images of love residing in mind’s dorm.
All in the waning light she stood there
A perfect beauty with smile sweet and fair
With her in sight, the life was much fairer
But the time came to bid her farewell forever.
As my summer eve was to wed another man
Many a sunset came and faded in life’s span
After many years an evening came again
In a glance saw her once, there with her man.
That was the last but one sunset of life
The last being in the offing nearly rife.
+++
September 24, 2014
Form: Free verse
First Place win

Jesus’ death paid it all!
What have you given in return?
His death on the cross…
Was from his love and concern!
His life for yours… On Calvary…
Has been paid.
His offer of eternal life,
has been made!
Through God’s word,
he’s been talking!
And stands at your hearts door…
patiently knocking!
Won’t you invite him in? As your guest?
Then, your life will be totally blessed!
He can bring health and
healing to your bones!
He can bring his love to
your family and home!
“Come unto me.” Is the
the master’s call.
Won’t you come to him now?
One and all?
He’s here right now!
In this very place…
And extends to you his
mercy and grace.
Won’t you accept him today?
He loves you more than words can say!
By Jim Pemberton

Beloved, lovely roses: gift of God and lover’s flower,
Spread your colored petals and cradle tender showers.
While admiring the blossoms with their beauty to behold,
Ought we not to know the Tender of such lovely garden groves?
For He lovingly and thoughtfully wields His pruning shears
To cut away the stems of old for fuller future years.
He cultivates and feeds them. He attends them as a Father
Looking daily to their needs; so faithfully He waters.
From the dawn of morning dew until the setting sun arrays
Caring always for His own until that great appointed day…
When the Gardener comes to claim each one the earth held as its own.
He gently picks it at its peak and for His pleasure takes it home.
As God did one glorious morning, when the Perfect Rose had bloomed.
He rolled away the stone and met with Mary at the tomb.
There the sweetest Rose of Sharon rose that we die not alone.
But be gathered for a garden grove, surrounding heavens throne.

Walk before you speak.
Lend your voice that seek.
Foot forward and back.
So will that be a fact.
Gone by and be well.
Trip up and put into a cell.
Got no one to talk to.
I want a phone call to sue.
When I wake from my slumber.
I wish not to be hit by lumber.
Going to become a dreamer.
I hope that I do not become a screamer.
I got new shoes.
With colorful strings that are loose.
I am slow on tying them.
I feel they are harder than stem.
String are not new.
They smell pew.
I walk once again to journey.
That means I need some money.
Trip up again with meaningless acts.
Walking with out trust that lacks.
Shamefulness I speak.
I go behind a tree to leak.
I have no home set in stone.
Wheeling and dealing always alone.
Since I was a child that was left on the street.
I became a street beat.
Strolling with confidence to day.
Making my way.
Some law men stop me.
I was so out of it that they can see.
They thought I was on drugs.
I was really itching bugs.
Stumbling because I have not eaten.
So they grab me and I got beaten.
They finally found me innocent.
So I told them to get bent.
I was a good citizen with high hopes.
The society today thinks I am on dopes.
Can I be help with no pain.
Will they put me some were I will gain.
So I was put into a helpful place.
I was then able to eat and say grace.
Some crazy person came in and started shooting.
So people ran and started looting.
Cannot get away from bad luck.
Sure enough I feel so stuck.
Knowing that I was fleeing.
I became worth not seeing.
I lay there my time just feeling has pass.
Losing my mind and running out of gas.
Finally I hear a person the sound sounds so weak.
A life time that I wanted to seek.
Found myself in a bed.
Down to nothing I was shed.
A person with white clothes that said your in luck.
You survived and now you owe some buck.
So sad not really glad.
Bad thing was the kid that was shooting was my lad.
Time really passes I just want to walk.
To see my kid to talk.
Why did he do what he did.
Dad he said I was starving and I am a kid.
So I have turn to a life time of crime.
Dad do not give me your time.
Because when we talked long ago.
You just left home with all the doe.
Hope you have a good life.
Because mom had been a good wife.
Now it is your turn.
So you can walk into the fire and burn.
With out a doubt you will walk away.
Trip on and Trip up and you will never pay.
Now dad keep your love.
Because I seek my mother above.
You will be chain.
Down you go insane.

You’ve maddened me to the core
You singed me with your ferocious fire
We’re opposites… we’ll never integrate
We can’t blend with each other…
Your love and I’m hate
We’re contrary to each other…
So don’t even think about
Getting us back together
Because without a doubt,
We don’t click with each other…
So let us go our own way…
Everything’s black and white
You love to torture me with your deceptive devices
We’re playing this chess match – let’s fight!
Tonight, you’re going to pay the prices
You’re going to be deleted from my mind…
I’m not the one that should pay the price
You act as if you’re an angel from heaven
But, you’re a fiend…a devil from hell...who needs your advice?
Could someone unchain me from this prison?
So let us prepare for that day…
Fear and bewilderment build inside of our minds
Taking over us…we’re wasting valuable time
Terror and wrath injects into our veins…time starts to unwind
I’m regaining my glory…this moment feels so sublime
You think you’re innocent?
I can sense your guilt…bleeding through you
Do you live to feed me anguish?
Don’t deny it…you crafty demon…no wonder I feel blue
Let’s get ready for battle…
I’ll watch you decay…
IT’S PAY BACK TIME . . .
Taste my fury and my agony
Everything’s black and white
You love to torture me with your deceptive devices
We’re playing this chess match – let’s fight!
Tonight, you’re going to pay the prices
You’re going to be defeated…
I scream before nightfall
I close my eyes to kiss my demise
I want to disappear
Scratch away my desolation
Wipe away my tears…
Spewing out of my eyes…like a waterfall
Tonight, there will be dismay
There will be suffering
After sundown…
Failure and glory will expose like stars in the midnight sky
Who will earn the crown?
No one knows in silent wars – who can reveal the light in goodbye
Why are we black and white?
Are you too afraid to know the reason why?
Everything’s black and white
You love to torture me with your deceptive devices
We’re playing this chess match – let’s fight!
Tonight, you’re going to pay the prices
You’re going to suffer alone…

Judas betrayed Jesus’s whereabouts
End, was near
Son of God, knew this
Universe of the Son of the Divine Father, restored
Sins of man forgiven, Prince of our Universal domain, alive in the hearts of his children

Our Ancestors fought to the death,
Just so we can live a brighter day,
So before you light up that blunt of meth,
Think about what you’re giving away,
It was a glad day in history when Obama rose to victory,
The first black president was all we knew,
Dark skin is in!
Haven’t you heard?
That even in our community,
You can get burned,
It’s a sad day when people would rather stay home and “Crank That Amber Cole”,
Than get up and run to a poll,
In our community,
Rockin’ Luis V is better than having a college degree,
And teen pregnancy is not only a trend,
But the single motherhood that follows should end,
Young girls learn of a wonderful prince to take them away,
Nothing should change thought their mothers prince didn’t stay,
And as the tears fade away,
She grows stronger every day,
In our community,
Fighting is no longer a word,
You argue with someone and shots are heard,
Girls showing places the sun don’t show,
So how do they expect the community to grow?
Where love is a figment of imagination,
Making a young child question her creation,
Young mothers would rather buy the iPhone 5,
Then satisfy her baby’s cries,
While her new man’s eye,
Wander up another girl’s thighs,
In our community,
Where #team dark skin vs #team light skin,
Makes others not love the skin they’re in,
Love, lust, hate, and trust,
Giving a rose on Valentine’s Day is no longer a must,
Where bad is good and good is bad,
Who would think to see their grandmother sad?
Her hurt and pain,
Shows how our community has lost everything her parents fought to gain.

My love I can not find you anywhere,
I feel like I lost my soul somewhere,
because you are my soulmate,
and us being apart can not be fate.
You did not leave because you wanted to,
It just was just something you had to do.
I was not right, All I wanted to do was fight,
and knowing you was the love of my life,
yet I would not make you my wife.
I know that's what you really wanted
and now I am feeling haunted,
by the things I should have done,
and you being the only one
I ever loved and will love forever, if it was'nt for me we will still be together.
But you are gone
and I can not go on,
so I must say good-bye, I'm leaving myself to die.

I had heard this song by an obscure artist, with a twist as it played verses
of 'Somewhere over the rainbow, with 'What a wonderful' world entwined.
It's simply melody strummed on a ukalele mesmerized me as I listened on the radio
in the car.
I remember saying to my wife, "I want this at my funeral." I was morbidly honest
that way.
Several years later, I was watching an episode of E.R. in which our favorite
character, Dr. Green discovers he has brain cancer, and a short time to live. He's
basically given the advice we all wish to avoid. "You don't have long, retire, enjoy
the time you have left."
Dr Green, plans a vacation with his daughter, who's relationship has been strained
since his divorce. For the next three or four episodes Dr. Green and his daughter
spend his last days surfing in Hawaii. Mending the relationship slowly, to a degree
of understanding only a father and daughter could know. He's still Dad, and she's a
teen working on letting go of her resentments.
In the last episode of the story, he's not doing well. He keeps passing out and his
strength is waning. He knows it's only a matter of days, possibly hours; but doesn't
share this with his daughter, the scenary is of a bungalo on the beach, white sands
surround the openness of the primitive bungalo, palm trees speckle the beach, and
in the distance lies the royal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
A day of surfing is suddenly changed as he suggests that his daughter go ahead of
him, he'll stay back and watch until his strength returns. So he sits in a hammock,
and watches out in the water as she strolls off to surf, Background music grows to
this song I'd so loved, by and artist named Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo?ole and as the
music is playing softly, the camera pans in on the face of Dr. Green for his death
scene, and his last breath. The camera pulls back, from the back of his head, above
the bungalo, above the beach as if we are Dr Green's soul departing this earth.
Yes, I cried like a little school girl as realized that my favorite character had just
been erased from our show, with no chance to come back for a Cameo... What!? of
course that's why I cried! OKAY! it was a tear jerker! and the saddest part, was the
relationship with his daughter was still in repair . Moral of the story i guess-- You
never know when its your time, so don't hold on to petty resentments, and love
every minute of life.
I later learned, Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo?ole; had also died

A sweet flower's funeral
displayed in the cold months
of snowy weather and bone chilling shivers.
A sweet flower burned away, dried up;
buried six feet under.
Oh, my sweet flower,
how you once bloomed with no remorse,
like a madman blooming with beauty
and a glorious halo over your head
shinned with such power and blinding glory.
Oh my sweet flower how you have gone now,
resting in peace in the land of paradise.
Oh, my heart it is weak when I see your face,
of once beautiful smiles and warm embraces.
I can hear your crying out to be free.
Snowing and bone chilling cold ripes at my soul
and feelings of sorrow rage through my blood,
boiling my hatred to the world, for losing your
sweet and ever glorious beauty.
What I would give away, if I could be with you
one last night, one last night together
to hold you in my arms, to smell your sweet perfume
that brings back sweet memories of you and I.
What I would do to be with you,
such romance travels through my heart in the highways
of my veins in my body, love is all throughout me,
and my heart breaks when pictures of you start to collect dust.
My love for you, my sweet flower,
is still ingering through the air,
as I travel and look upon a tombstone
which shows your beautiful name.
Come to me my dear flower,
when spring comes,
come to me my dear, sweet flower.
And bloom once again,
twice as large as last year,
and ten times more beautiful then last year.
Come to me in the first months of spring
in my dreams, so I could sit and talk with you.
I miss you already,
and my heart crys,
my eyes flood with tears of sorrow.
I miss our love we shared.
Long walks,
cosy talks,
warm cuddling embraces
and beautiful displayed in a picture frame.
Now I hear the tapping of raindrops on my window pane.
That is all that keeps me company,
that and the rose you gave to me
and a picture of you and me.
Love is endless, even when blue eyed Death comes to visit
and play a game of chess with us,
we all play our game, my love.
I shall go tonight
in my sleepy slumber
and dream of you in the times of our height in our love for each other.
My lost love, you are gone, resting in paradise,
but never forgotten my sweet flower.
-10/6/2013-

Picking up the shards of shattered you Each jagged reflection staring back too Anger turned from brokenness of heart Mirrors only amplified the tears dart As memories of togetherness flow A man in the presence of letting go She sobs in a patch work of memories Stitching the old love letters the hurt flees The smell of his shirts comforter of times Each block sown with care as love's healing binds In mosaic's or quilt's this will transcend Even after a death love has no end

I barely knew him,
met him through a friend,
saw him at a birthday party,
and my friend told me he really liked me.
I went to treatment for an eating disorder
before we started talking.
The emptiness in my stomach from the anorexia
told me it might be beneficial to get to know him.
He told me he would be there for me when I returned.
I came home with healed scars and forgotten innocence.
He called me one night, drunk,
telling me his cousin had died from a heroin overdose.
I couldn’t help but feel sad for him.
We met on the bridge
that crosses the canal between our houses.
A beer in his hand
he slurred his words and cried to me.
I didn’t know his middle name yet,
not his address or how many siblings he had.
I liked his facial scruff,
and the way he cried to me
without even knowing how to correctly pronounce my last name.
I stayed until 5 am.
Laying on his couch,
just starting to get to know each other.
We fell in love.
For eleven months if my memory is right.
We smoked Marlboro Reds together
on his front porch red cushioned swing.
He protected me from my demons,
kind of like how a barbed wire fence
protects the inmates from making mistakes.
He was my first love.
I think.
We wrote daises of words on paper
and he drew his love with a pen on my heart.
It ended the day my cousin’s grandmother died.
I never realized that our relationship
started and ended with death.
Maybe that is why in the end we were so bitter.

When you're hurt inside,
And there's no where to hide,
And there's no one on your side,
And it's killing your pride,
Inside,
Never take hate outside,
When your heart is chocking,
The heavy words never spoken,
The things that hurt you inside,
When love has died,
Inside,
Never take hate outside,
When your heart is gone,
From being alone,
And it beats a solemn tone,
When you're cold inside,
It's only a short ride,
Never take hate outside

As I open the door to look at all the things I must go through,
I realize that most of them remind me of you.
They were once neatly in a pile but now they fell all around,
All over my desk, the table and some on the ground.
I have saved them in a special order for all of these years,
But looking at them now only brings me sadness and tears.
I know I must let go of the past and aim for new things,
Especially since you are in heaven flying with your beautiful wings.
Gathering dust and taking up space is what they have done,
I know I should take time to organize them one by one.
But instead I take a deep breathe and close the door as I leave,
I cannot imagine throwing anything out, for you I still grieve.
Debra Baviello
February 26, 2015

I might sparkle in the night
but I'm not the only star
you might not see them in the sky
it depends on where you are
Am I the only light in your eyes
that makes you smile when you cry
if your favorite's what you say
don't you blink it might fade away
Only when we give everything
we're truly ready for better things
we invite ourselves off to drift
the steam rises and our spirits lift
Follow me, into sun sets
be brave and strong with no regrets
and when the sea takes the light
we'll find a new day after the night
there's still a new day after the night

Are You Ready to Meet Jesus?
One day soon, there’ll be
A meeting In the air!
God’s people will gather,
from everywhere!
Jesus will return,,
for you and me!
He wants to take us all!
For eternity!
People will be there!
Both young and old!
Being with Jesus forever!
On streets paved with gold!
When he comes,
no one knows!
When he does, may we
be ready to go!
Live you life, as if
He came right now!
One day, before him,
Every knee shall bow!
May we live a Godly life,
in everything!
As we look forward to,
the return of the king!
By Jim Pemberton

How can I tell you?
I can't stay with you.
Neither I can give up on you.
Fear of losing you is losing me.
It feels like slow death every night.
But we are just stuck in our spaces!
Unable to connect from two feet distance.

Alas there is no more confusion,
finally found my last conclusion.
Expect me as if Jesus will return,
from a ghost to a realm of concern.
Your dreams are portals like doors,
welcoming spirits into hasten wars.
Leaving the thoughts without trust,
keeping your fears in much disgust.
And though you sought no consequence,
deeds that confirm a wicked malevolence.
Awaiting in your nightmare of screams,
enjoy what is left amongst your dreams.

Gun fire all around, bombs going off in the distance
It was some of the angry mobs and resistance
Father was the king of SafeHaven a small kingdom
Like all other kingdoms it fell in random
Fire started in the castle
And along with it came a battle
It was a distance memory now because the child has now grew
Many things in this child that made memories stew
My name is Mastrey, a young orphan who was there that night
Mastrey saw her in the distance and her father and mother in his sight
Everyone was loud that night and made all the children hide
But that evening Mastrey saw her mother and father die
She ran into the bushes in such a fright
And evil doers were running around with flashlights
Mastrey remember it as he distracted them
Her eyes was so confused with problems
Mastrey new that it was because of what just occurred
His feelings of what those people did was not awkward
The distraction worked, he went back to were she was
Hiding and very scared she was, he asked her, can you trust me just because?
Her answer that night depended on her lively hood
As Mastrey was their with his hand reaching out to her as he stood
Pulling her up from the ground he looked into her eyes that were SeaBlue
Mastrey had made a life long friend and love, She knew it was true
Next: My Story Telling, Who is this Princess

put down names and numbers
in my book
family, friends
and some
occasionally
when I go down the list
to phone them up
I pass over many
who have gone
only to remember them fondly--
say a prayer --
and slowly --
my heart moves on.

Who Will Water My Plants
I swore by the rare LEO moon -
well lighted above.
That I would never falter
in our marriage of love.
I swore by all that's good and right, that
I would be the perfect wife.
I told myself and a million stars;
It would be best to cover up the scars.
If I were to only tow the line
I could keep the matter
under my mind.
So sure that your temper
would settle down.
When our children be grown and gone
and finally living on their own.
The inner-voice you have inside
I hoped to your GOD
conscience, it would chide.
Awaking yet your virtuous side.
I should had left when
the children had gone,
After that you
barely came home.
ALONE with my wounds,
computer,and plants.
You allowed me no friends,
never filed a complaint
no records were kept.
Under the carpet
my abuse had been swept.
One night he came,
could not find
his good shoes
which he kept
under our bed.
He then,threw a glass,
and it just missed my head.
The fury in his eyes,
said that I was to die.
When the smoke cleared,
it was he that lay dead.
Being alone, I had secured protection
"Who will water my plants if I die"
"I thought "
"I fired a shot in his direction.
I could not reply
When the officer
asked me "WHY"-
I could not explain
the tears and the pain
"Who will water my plants"
was my only cry.
"Who will water my plants "
I did sigh..
Explanation,of no use-
from years of
silencing abuse.
Why I stayed
I never knew.!
Love had ended,ended too soon.
I had promised that Leo moon.
As I had no rant-
All I could say
as they led me away...
Was... "Who will water my plants " ?

I May Not Be Here Tomorrow!
When tomorrow comes, I may not be here!
This life I have… Could just disappear!
I may think of this world as my “sanctuary.”
But my life down here, is just temporary!
Life just passes me by, and goes by fast!
I can think of many things done in the past!
But the past is gone by…
Tomorrow’s another day!
What am I going to do?
What am I going to say?
I don’t know about the future,
or what it may bring.
Life has it’s way of bringing
good and bad things!
I’m going to look to Jesus and give him my trust!
Living daily for him...
I shall try! I must!
Jesus holds tomorrow in the palm of his hand!
Everything about me... He already understands!
HE shall be here tomorrow! Till the very end!
He’s somebody I can give my life to! And depend!
I come to you Jesus! For comfort and delight!
I know that with you, everything will be alright!
Life may not turn out the way
I expect it to be!
But Jesus will take care of it all!
Most assuredly!
By Jim Pemberton

The wind blew events all over the place.
Intense emotions and it gave chase.
Lightning lighting to show us the sky.
People try to sleep and not cry.
Wisping by the wind keeps us awake.
The time trying to sleep the storms take.
Chills in everyone gives all shiver.
The clouds surrounded by moonlight is silver.
Heavenly prayers that the rain will stop.
The flood stopped a car the person in it was a cop.
People have seen such devastation.
The road that people made was week in creation.
Rivers near by was over flowing.
Trees that were there was not showing.
By the hour it claimed many.
My father woke up and did not see any.
Floating by was a boat.
Keeping people above water and a float.
My father kept a canoe.
That some day we would use it, that he knew.
Time to paddle up and down the street.
The rain water kept getting on our seat.
It was so dark after the moon was behind the cloud.
Still the noise of thunder still covered the ears loud.
The smell of moist water never seem to go away.
My brothers seem to still sleep anyway.
My head was bobbing up and down.
I was so tired that I could not hear a sound.
The wind blew back and fourth.
It seems that my mom and dad paddle their worth.
Till all the people we saw with grace.
Help us out with embrace.
The time was so late at night.
Everyone was so sleepy and losing sight.
The fight with the weather was so hectic.
The feelings of energy was electric.
Losing to such natural disaster is hard to understand.
When people working hard to block the river with bags of sand.
With hard workers like my mom and dad.
They make things happen that is not bad.
Rough with weather they experience more than ever.
Leaders they are they are very clever.
From the night light of street lights to the morning glow.
The wind did not stop so.
Bringing in more clouds that ill.
The people who were still tired still had will.
The rush of water and waves blasting push the wall side.
Pushing and the force brought water inside.
The battle of our hour was getting long.
Backup people came to aid us was strong.
Rested they were to keep everyone with hope.
The people stopped the water with the strength of rope.
Heavy rain and loss of homes bring people together.
It is kind of sad that this was the only time to gather.
Chaos comes happiness how true.
This is why we are human that gives us a clue.
It is our nature to keep rain falling.
To know when it is time for our calling.
The winds bring such pain and sorrow.
That is why rain sometimes fallow.

Her hands shook
as they wheeled
him away.
Had his lips
been dry?
Had his body
ached?
Had he longed
for a touch
against his
fragile skin?
Could she
have done more
to relieve
his pain?
Could she
have loved him more,
needed him more,
begged him more
to stay?
Her head swam
in the deafening silence
of guilt and sorrow
as she
buried herself
for feeling
relief.